Do not fear the shadowy places. You will never be the first one there. Another went ahead and down until He came out the other side.

As long as I'm dealing in honesty, I may as well admit that I have been more influenced (as a person) by my childhood readings of Tolkien and Lewis than I have been by any philosophers I read in college and grad school. The events and characters in Narnia and Middle Earth shaped my ideals, my dreams, my goals. Kant just annoyed me.

It is hard to stay focused with so much swirling around me. God is distracting. He never stops talking, and I can never stop listening. There is a reason we sleep.

The moon was up, painting the world silver, making things look just a little more alive.

Do you dislike your role in the story, your place in the shadow? What complaints do you have that the hobbits could not have heaved at Tolkien? You have been born into a narrative, you have been given freedom. Act, and act well until you reach your final scene.

God's big enough that small doesn't matter.

Do not fear the shadowy places. You will never be the first one there. Another went ahead and down until He came out the other side.